Trolley.



No. 881,470. PATENTED MAR. 10, 1908.

0. HARKNESS.

TROLLBY.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.28,1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

ii-s it D Witnesses; Inventor.

A, H, maflen P-ATENTED MAR.10, 190s. G.'HARKNESS.

TROLLBY. APPLICATION FILED NOV.28,1906.'

3 SHEETS-SHEET-i3.

In ventor'.

W'itneseS.

11.11. Wbatley Q Q Mp2? I Att'ome UNHED s rarrns inirimr onriion.

CHARIJES DARKNESS, OF PROVIDENCE. ltH'Ol'Jl') ISlh-XINJ), ASSIGNOR, FY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO THE UNITED TRACTION IllP'RtlYI-llllh"? ('TOAHANY, A "ilORPORATIO'N OF RHODE ISLAND.

TROLLEY.

Application filed. Novemberl28, 1906. Serial No. 345,469.

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES HARKNEss, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trolleys,

of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to trolleys, and its essential objects are to prevent accidental displacement of the trolley wheel from-the 'conduct'or under all conditions, whether :t'rolleyguard or conductor engaging device. It is known that an irregularity of the conductor combined with the swaying of the car will disengage a trolley wheel. moving on a level or otherwise. My ex eriments have shown that two trolley whee s may be made to coact to mutually maintain each other in contact with the conductor, when moving on a level, by mounting the couplet to tiltor rock vertically and when moving on a curve,

by aflording a pivotal action to the individual wheels; and when traversing a switch at any speed, .byimparting to the leading wheel the direction of the pole. To further 1 insure the continuous contact/of the wheels .with the suspended parts while traversing a 'switch, the Wheels should have a capacity for vertical movement. Tothe successful operation of the double wheel trolley under al conditions, it is essential that the pivoted frame or other supporting device of the trolley wheels sh'ouldwat all. times be horizontal to the plane of the conductor, and should be capable of transverse movement independent ofthe position ofthe trolley'pole.

' To the ends above set forth, my invention consists in the features and in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, and particularlypointed out in the claims reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, wherein,

Figure 1 is a sideelevation .of myv new trolley. Fig. 2, a planof the same, showin in broken lines some of the positions assume bv the truck when the car is at an angle with views of a switch and trolley showing diflerent positions of the wheels while traversing the switch, and Figs. 11 and 12, perspective views of the trolley device. 1

Like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the views.

My trolley comprises a pole, 1, to which is fixed a rearwardly and upwardly directed the conductor. Fig. 3, a section of the same fork, 2, of nearly semi-circularoutline comprising two arms, 3, 3, in whose extremities are bearings, 4, 4, in which is loosely mounted a pintle, 5, fixed in a sleeve, 6, intermediate the bearings, 4. Integral with or fixed to the sleeve is a vertical spindle, 7, to'whose lower end isfiXed by a pin, .8, or otherwise, a

cam plate, 9, having u on its. up or face two longitudinally dispose V-shape projections and depressions, 10, forming an angular seat. Supported by the sleeve, 6, spindle, 7, and plate, 9 is the suspension frame for carrying he trolley wheels indicated in a general way tion suitable for carrying the general details of mechanism, and may consist of a single piece. In the form thereof herein shown it comprises two pieces, namely an oblong baseplate, 12, upon which the marginal flange, 13, of a top plate, '14, is fixed by screws, 15, or in any convenient manner, and projects rearwar'dly from and in alinement with the base-plate. The frame, 11, is provided upon its-forward, central and rear 'ortions actively .with vertical tubular earings or ubs, 16,17 and 18, in longitudinal alinementwith each other. A similar but shorter bearing, 19', is located in the truck intermediate and injalin'emen't with the bearings, 16 and 17-. I Loosely mounted in the bearing, '16, and rejecting some distance below the end of t e same is." the fer'k-stem, 20, to whosetopis fixed by transverse in, 21, or otherwise ,thefork, 22'.) The for may be The frame may be of any form of construc-- made integral spindle, if preferred.

The forward trolley wheel, 23, is revolubly; mounted upon the pintle, 24, fixed in the' fork, and'is provided with the usual bushing, 25, and contacts, 26.' Looseon the stem, 20,, and within the housing formed by the flange, 13, of the frame is a se mental car, .27, whose lower ce rests on the base pTate,

12, and whose body portion extends above the surface of the top plate, 14, through an opening, 28, therein. The upper face of the gearv body, 27, forms a seat for the fork,

22, and has two longitudinally disposed V-shaped projections, 29, with intermediate transversely disposed V-shaped depressions, 30, which register-respectively in similar shaped but oppositely disposed-dc ressions, 31, and'pro ections', 32, upon the ase of the fork. A movement of gear, 27, in either'direction serves to either turn or to elevate the forward wheel, 23, and its forkstem, 20. To prevent excessive verticalmovement or the entire disengagement of the stem, a washer, 33, is supported near .the

lower end thereof by a spring pin, '34. The,

fork-stem, 20. In the bearing, 18, is a fork- I stem, 38, with a projecting lower portion pressions,

upon which is a washer, 39, supported by a pin, 39. The upper face of t e bearing,

18, forms a seat for the rear fork, and is provided with projections, 40, and depressions, 41, ldentical in form andrelative position with those of gear; 27. Fixed by a pin,

42, to the fork-stem, 38, or integral with the latter, is the fork, 43, in' which is mounted, on a pintle, 44, and bushing, 45, the rear trolley wheel, 46. The fork is also provided with the usual contacts, .47. Upon the base of the fork, 43, are projections, 48, and depressions, 49, similar in shape and irelative position with those upon the forward fork, and which register respectively with the de- 41, and projections, 40, of. 'the caring, 18.

The operation of my device will be de scribed in connectionv with a switch, 52, main conductor, 53, and branch wires or conductors, 54, and is as follows: In'passing on a strai ht course, the relation of the parts are, as a ready detailed. In passing a curve, however, trolley wheels, 23 and 46, as shown in F igs..6 and 7, are at an angle to each other,

" ductor.

because of the turning of their fork-stems; and the suspension frame, which is shown in broken outline, is in a different vertical plane from the trolley pole, 1. In other words, the pole takes the position of the car, while the frame takes the position of the con- In turning, the suspension frame 11, both wheel forks, 22 and 43, all rise in -toward the observer.

mains parallel with the conductor, 53, de-

their angular seats under the torsional strain, but resume by force of gravity their normal positions after the curve is passed.

The positions assumed by the )arts in passing a switch are progressively shown in igs. 8 to 12 inclusive. Figs. 8 and 9 show the forward trolley wheel upon the switch, 52. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of my device when in the osition indicated in Fig. 9. It will be note that when my device is in the position indicated in Figs. 9 and 12, the wheels, 22 and 46, are at an angle to each other' but the forward fork, 22 and suspension frame, 11, rest in their angular seats because they are under no torsional strain. Reference to Fig. 9 shows that the forward wheel, 23, is positioned ad jaccnt the smooth intermediate portionof the switch, and is free of'torsion. Theref ore, the angular seat of its fork retains the wheel, 23, in alinement with the fran'ie. 11, which at'that instant is in alinement with the pole, 1. The

--wheel ,46, being still in engagement with the conductor, 53, at this moment and at vertical angle differing from that of the suspension frame is under a torsional strain which ele vates theste1n,\38, to compensate for the temporary tilt of the frame, 11, when the forward wheel is in the free space. When the wheel, -46, has passed the conductor its fork stem descends by gravity; the fork base i is longitudinally retained in its seat, 40 and the wheel assumes the position shown in Fig. 10.

' As described, the rear wheel is under all circumstances in guarding contact with the overhead conductors. The same is true of the forward wheel, 23, but the latter has additional functions. Namely, it must be so mounted, that when it passes the free space of a switch it will be positively forced into .the direction taken by the pole. In other words, the wheel, 23, must normally lie in the. same vertical plane with the'pole, or parallel thereto, in all its turnings. This result is attained through the S)l11(ll(3, 7, which is turned by the arms, 3, o the pole, 1, and through the connected gears, 37, 35, and 27, and the fork,.22. The wheel, 23, however, must not be rigid, because under certain conditions the wheel is not free to follow the angular impulse of the pole. An example of this is shown in F ig. 1.1., in which case the car is supposed to have passed the track switch and the trolley device is about to enter upon the switch, 52, upon the conductor, 53, the pole being angularly directed The frame, 11, re-

spite the torsional influence of the arms, 3, and rises on its seat 10; and the conductor, 53, restrains the wheel, 23, from turning into a plane even parallel with that of the pole, since the retaining force of the conductor exceeds the torsional force of the gear, 27,

. andthe fork, 22-is capable of the necessarysemvorotation in its angularseat The, gear mechanism exclusivelygoverns the forward wheel only when the latter is in the free space of the switch. k

To re'vent excessive rotation of the frame,- 11, w en the device-is temporarily removed from the conductor, 53, I provicle a suitable stop; The preferredform is that shown in broken lines in Fig.3, occasioned by the car the drawings. A projection or shoulder, 55,

uponthe end of sleeve, 6,; registersin anarc' "shaped slot or recess, 56, in -the fork bea'rings 4. I V

Since the suspension carriageispivoted upon the intle, 5, theformer is always substantially horizontal to the conductor regardless of the osition of the pole, even when the pole is n theposition shown by passingv undena bridge.

It will be noted that under'no conditions can the wheels become accidentally disengaged from the conductor Wire, and all auxiliary guarding and retaining devices are dispensed with.

What I claim is,

1. The combination with a trolley pole, of a plurality of independent vertical. stems and a plurality of independent gravitatingtrolley w eels sup orted on said stems and mounted for'ver'tica "movement under torsional strain tending to preserve the wheels in alinement. 2. The combination with a trolley pole'and I 'a forkgof a suspendedspindle disposed in the fork thereof, a suspension; frame carried by said spindle, a plurality of independent ver tical-stem'sv and a plurality of independent trolley-Wheels on said vertical stems in said frame as mounted w rise under torsional strain and to fall to their normal positions by gravity.

3. The combination with a ,trolley pole and a fork, of a suspension frame suspended from the fork thereof, a-depending .s indle supports in said frame.

supporting said frame and a plurality o independent trolley wheelsmounted upon vertical 4, The combination with a' trolley, pole and a fork, of a suspension frame suspended from the fork thereof, a depending spindle, vertical supports in said frame and 'a pluraland aplurality of trolley wheels mounted on vertical axes in said frame for vertical movement. a

6. The combination with a trolley pole,

"of a pintle, a depending spindle pivotally supported thereby, a frame'carried by the "supported there supported thereby, a frame carrie spindle, a lurality of trolley wheels mounted on vertica axes in said frame for vertical movement, and means on said spindle for'.

rotating one of said wheels about a vertical" axis. r 1

7. The combination with a trolley pole, of a-suspended rotatable frame, a'pluralityyof trolley wheels carried thereby, and means to prevent excessive rotation of said'frame, s

.s. The. combination with a trolley pole,;of l

a pintle, a de endingspindle pivotally y, a frame carried by the spindle, a-plurality of trolley wheels mounted on vertical axes in said frame for '-vertical movement, and-means :on said spindle for ofthev osition of the pole. I I.

9. T e combination with a trolley-fork so rotatin'g'one of said wheels about a vertical vaxis, sa1d frame being ivotally suspended to 'alwaysmaintain a su stantially horizontalposition relatively to a conductor regardless and pintle, of a depending's indle pivotally supported by the pintle, a ame pivotally mounted upon the spindle, and trolley-wheels mounted in the frame. I

10. The combination with a trolley-fork and pintle, of supporting means for the trolley-wheels pivotally suspended from the 'pintle and adapted to swing transversely to the fork, means for raising the supporting means as the latter moves towards the limit of its transverse travel, and trolley-wheels mounted in the'frame'.

11; The combinationw'ith a trolleyepole, of a pintle, a depending spindle fpiiotally spindle, a lurality of trolley wheels mounted on vertic' axes insaid'frame ,for vertical movement, means on said spindle for rotating one of said wheels about a ver't-iehl axis, said frame being pivotallysu's ended to al y the ways maintain; a substantial y horizontal position relatively to a conductor regardless of the positionof the pole, and means to prevent excessive rotation of said frame.

12. The combination with a trolley pole and a ivoted suspended trolley'frame, of a 'vertica bearing in the frame, an angular seat in the 11 per face of the bearing, a vertically disposed rotatable trolley-fork stem loosely mounted in the bearing, a trolley-fork upon the stem, and an angular projection upon the fork adapted to rest in the angular seat.

13. The, combination with a trolley pole,"

fork, and pintle, of a depending spindle pivotally supported by the pintle, a frame pivotally mounted on the spindle, two trolley wheels rotatably mounted in the frame, and means fixed to the spindle adapted to actuate one of the rotatable wheels.

14. The combination with a trolley-pole,

fork, and pintle of a depending spindle pivotally supported upon the pintle, a frame pivotally mounted on the spindle, a fork 4 stem loosely mounted in each end of the frame, a gear loose on one stem and provided Withan angular seat on its upper face, an angular seat adjacent the other stem, a gear fixed on the spindle operatively with the first gear, trolley-Wheel forks upon the stems resting in the seats, and trolley wheels, mounted in the trolley-wheel forks. r a

15. The combination'with a trolley pole, trolley-fork, and pintle, of a'frame suspended from the pintle and adapted to swing transversely, a plurality of trolley Wheels independently rotatably mounted :insaid frame and means for normally retaining. the frame against transverse movement 16-. The combination-wither pivotally suspended rotatable trolley-frame, of a trolleywheel fork pivotally mounted on the frame, and gravitating means upon the fork eOacting with the frame fornormally retaining the trolley-Wheel fork in fixed position;

17. The combination with a pivotally suspended rotatable trolley-frame and two trolley-Wheels mounted thereon, of means in the frame for elevating one trolley wheel independently of the other.

18. The combination with a pivotally suspended rotatable trolley-frame and two trolley-Wheels looselymounted thereon, of means i in the frame for rotating one wheel independently ofthe other.

19. The.combin'ation With a trolley pole and a horizontal pintle, of a spindle suspended therefrom, a rotatable frame suspended from said pintle and mounted for vertical movement, and a plurality of trolley Wheels mounted on independent vertical stems in said frame.

'20. The combination with a trolley pole and a horizontal pintle, of a spindle suspended therefrom, a rotatable frame suspended from said pintle and mounted for vertical movement, a plurality of trolley Wheels mounted on independent vertical stems in said frame, and means to prevent exces sive rotation of said frame.

stems in said frame, spindle of said frame 21. The combination with a trolley pole and a horizontal pintle, .of a spindle suspended therefrom, a rotatable .frame suspended from said pintle and mounted for vertical movement, a plurality of trolley stems in said frame,- and gearing connecting the spindle of said frame with the stem of one of said trolley wheels.

22. The combination with a trolley pole and a horizontal pintle, of a spindle suspended therefrom,- a rotatable frame suspended from said pintle and mounted for vertical movement, a plurality of trolley wheels mounted on independent vertical gearing connecting the with the stem of one of said trolley Wheels, and means for preventing excessive rotation ofsaid frame.

23. The combination with a trolley pole and a horizontal pintle, of a spindle suspended therefrom, a rotatable frame suspended from said pintle and mounted for vertical movement, a plurality of trolley Wheels mounted on independent vertical stems in said frame, gearing connectmg the spindle of said frame with the stem of one of.

said trolley Wheels, and means for preventing excessive rotation'on said frame, said stem being vertically movable, and means to prevent excessive vertical movement thereof.

24. The combination With a trolley pole, of a plurality of rotatably suspended vertical stems mounted for independent vertical movement and a plurality of independent gravitating trolley wheels supported on said stems and mounted for Vertical movement under torsional strain.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES HARKNESS'.

Witnesses:

HoRArio E. BELLOWS, VVATLER E. GOODWIN.

.-Wheels mounted on independent vertical 

